Purpose of the CSPWC/SCPA

[Letters Patent, July 20th , 1936]

The Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour /
La Société Canadienne de Peintres en Aquarelle

Recognizes, encourages, and nurtures excellence of work in the medium of water colour. To this end it plans and holds seminars, demonstrations and open competition exhibits in order to discover and appreciate the work of water colourists and to encourage them to become members of the Society which provides a common forum, information and camaraderie for artists who express their creativity in this demanding discipline.

[NOTE: All CSPWC Members in 1936 are called ‘Charter Members’ CM]

Who We Are and What We Do

Since 1925 the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC) has been encouraging excellence in the medium of watercolour through exhibitions, workshops and symposiums. The Society also facilitates communication between artists who share this demanding medium but often work in isolation.

The CSPWC enjoys the Patronage of the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada.

Distinguished Beginnings

Founded at Toronto’s historic Arts and Letters Club on November 11, 1925 by a dozen artists, the CSPWC has had an illustrious history of promoting tradition, education and experimentation. The founding members included Fred Brigden, considered the dean of Canadian watercolour at the time, and A.J. Casson, Arthur Lismer and Franklin Carmichael, all members of the exciting new Group of Seven. There are now over 220 elected members of the CSPWC.

Open Water

Since the beginning, the CSPWC has hosted an annual juried exhibition open to any artist. During the pandemic, the tradition continued with virtual exhibitions in 2020-22. In 2023 the CSPWC resumed its practice of in person exhibition. Open Water offers a number of prestigious awards and medals. Virtual galleries of the most recent exhibitions are found under the Open Water tab in our menu.

Members Exhibitions

The Society organizes exhibitions of work by Elected Members to take place across Canada and also in a virtual format. Here and Now has hosted online by the CSPWC in 2023, Beyond the Edge, an online exhibition of experimental watercolours held online in 2021. Water Reflections 2017, an exhibition of Elected Members works around the theme of water, was held at Santa Fe Gallery in Owen Sound, ON.

Diploma Collection

The Diploma Collection was established in 1991 to document the art of watercolour painting in Canada. This large collection includes one painting from each current member and also work of many past members. This national watercolour collection is currently stored in a controlled archival environment. Exhibitions can be curated from the collection.

Education

As the restrictions of the pandemic in 2020 came into force the CSPWC formed an Education Committee to bring virtual watercolour education to our membership and interested artists amongst the public. Online demonstrations are held highlighting the skills of CSPWC Member artists. In person demonstrations, multi-day CSPWC Symposiums and occasional Paint-Outs are held across the country. They provide an opportunity for
Elected Members, Associates and non-members to share ideas, experiences and camaraderie.

The CSPWC participates in World Watercolour Day. This international celebration takes place on November 23 of each year with the aim of taking watercolour out into the community.

Becoming an Elected Member

Artists may gain Elected Member status in two ways, through exhibition or through application. Artists who have had three paintings accepted into Open Water exhibitions within a 10 year period are offered membership. Artists may also apply for Elected Member status by submitting a portfolio of images for review by the membership jury. The deadline for applying for Elected Membership is November 1 of each year.

Becoming an Associate of the CSPWC

Anyone may support the CSPWC by becoming an Associate Member. Associates receive invitations to all openings and reduced entry fees on Open Water and for educational events including those offered by the Education Committee and for CSPWC Symposiums.